Pillow

China

10th-12th century

Cizhou ware Stoneware with white cut-glaze peony decoration on a brown slip under a transparent glaze

Minneapolis Institute of Art

An oval-shaped ceramic pillow decorated with floral motifs. The lid features a central floral design with leaves against a brown background, bordered by an oval line. The sides of the pillow are adorned with a repeating scrolling vine pattern. This bean shaped ceramic pillow is decorated on top with an oval medallion of twin peony blossoms rising from a single stalk. The sides are ornamented with a continuous frieze of stylized lotus scroll all freely carved through the cream-white exterior slip. It stands in contrast with the olive-brown interior slip which covers the buff-colored stoneware body. <P>Kilns producing Cizhou type ware existed in several North China districts where clay, water, and coal deposits were sufficient to support a large ceramic industry. Cizhou ware developed entirely as a popular ceramics industry distinct from court sponsored kilns. Pillows fall